Recaps

Xinhai prepared his Pokémon for a Gym challenge, then traveled to Mossdeep Gym for his scheduled appointment. A Gym staff member led him to Battle Room Three, where the challenge was about to begin.

• Xinhai fed Blaziken, Gardevoir, Krookodile, and Eevee breakfast and told them they would challenge the Gym that day.
• Xinhai changed into his exploration outfit, checked his twelve Poké Balls, and left the Pokémon Center with Eevee.
• Xinhai arrived at Mossdeep Gym and checked in for his ten o’clock appointment.
• After waiting in the rest area, Xinhai was summoned by a young man in a dark green Gym uniform.
• The young man escorted Xinhai to Battle Room Three, and Xinhai entered the room.

Xinhai began a four-on-four Double Battle against Yano Keisuke at Mossdeep Gym, pairing Krookodile and Eevee against Medicham and Espeon. Yano’s opening attack targeted Krookodile, but Eevee blocked it with Psychic while Krookodile counterattacked with Stone Edge.

• The referee announced a four-on-four Double Battle in which Xinhai could switch Pokémon but the Gym side could not.
• Xinhai sent out Krookodile and Eevee, while Yano Keisuke sent out Medicham and Espeon.
• Yano ordered Medicham to use Force Palm and Espeon to use Helping Hand, strengthening a volley aimed at Krookodile.
• Xinhai had Eevee use Psychic to shield Krookodile from the attacks as Krookodile launched Stone Edge at Medicham and Espeon.

Wu Shan traveled to Mt. Moon and saw that a subsidiary peak was close to collapsing amid powerful battles deep within the range. He joined Officer Jenny at the defensive line as she reported the growing Elite-level threat and the danger of the mountain falling.

• Wu Shan summoned Lunatone and had it take him to the outskirts of Mt. Moon.
• Wu Shan inspected the shaking subsidiary peak and recognized that its fractured core layers could soon give way.
• Lunatone used Inner Focus to locate Officer Jenny and teleported Wu Shan to the defensive line.
• Wu Shan arrived as Onix, Graveler, Golem, Alakazam, and Gardevoir helped build defenses around Mt. Moon.
• Officer Jenny told Wu Shan that at least five Elite-level Pokémon were fighting in the range, another Elite-level energy signature was rising, and the subsidiary peak was shaking more violently.

Yano Keisuke and Xinhai continued their Pokémon battle, with Espeon and Medicham pressing Krookodile and Eevee through successive attacks and defenses. The chapter ended with Eevee’s Dark Pulse grazing Espeon before striking the barrier behind it.

• Yano Keisuke ordered Espeon to use Protect against Krookodile’s Stone Edge, then had Medicham and Espeon attack through Eevee’s Snarl.
• Xinhai countered Medicham’s Aura Sphere with Krookodile’s Dragon Pulse and ordered Eevee to fire Swift at the advancing pair.
• Espeon used Light Screen to block Swift while Medicham closed in on Krookodile.
• Yano Keisuke sent Medicham in with Jump Kick and Espeon’s Psychic, but Xinhai protected Krookodile and ordered Eevee to use Dark Pulse.
• Espeon dodged most of Dark Pulse, which grazed its right flank and struck the barrier behind it.

Eevee and Krookodile battled Yano Keisuke’s Medicham and Espeon, using Extreme Speed and coordinated attacks to disrupt the pair. As Eevee’s Swift filled a Smokescreen, Medicham launched Vacuum Waves, which Krookodile intercepted while Eevee kept attacking.

• Krookodile broke its Protect barrier and used Rock Slide, while Espeon’s Confusion helped Medicham fend off the rocks.
• Eevee and Espeon clashed with Swift, then Eevee used Extreme Speed to strike Medicham and throw off its balance.
• Yano Keisuke ordered Espeon to fire Shadow Ball, and Krookodile blocked it with rocks, creating a thick Smokescreen.
• Xinhai told Eevee to blanket the Smokescreen with Swift, filling it with repeated explosions.
• Medicham fired Vacuum Waves through the Smokescreen, and Krookodile tore them apart with Dragon Claw as Eevee continued firing Swift.

Xinhai’s Eevee and Krookodile faced Medicham and Espeon as the battle escalated into a head-on clash. Krookodile and Medicham were both injured and thrown backward, and Xinhai recalled Eevee and sent out Blaziken to catch Krookodile.

• Espeon used Helping Hand on Medicham, which charged Krookodile with a combined Jump Kick and Rock Smash while Espeon’s Confusion blocked Eevee’s Psychic Barrier.
• Krookodile unleashed Dragon Rush and collided head-on with Medicham’s attack.
• The collision sent both Pokémon flying and left Krookodile with a scorched chest wound and Medicham with burns on its right leg.
• Xinhai recalled Eevee and sent out Blaziken, which caught Krookodile and set it down safely.

Xinhai adjusted his tactics after Krookodile was injured, sending Blaziken to lead an attack against Medicham and Espeon. The chapter left Blaziken leaping over Medicham’s Vacuum Waves with a Blaze Kick ready to strike.

• Espeon used Psychic to catch Medicham and set him down safely after Blaziken blasted him away.
• Xinhai assessed Krookodile’s injury and Blaziken’s condition, then decided Blaziken would lead while Krookodile supported him.
• Xinhai ordered Blaziken to use Flame Charge and Krookodile to fire Dark Pulse as Yano Keisuke directed Medicham to use Vacuum Wave and Espeon to raise Light Screen and launch Shadow Ball.
• Espeon’s Light Screen weakened Krookodile’s Dark Pulse, and her Shadow Ball collided with the remaining energy in a large explosion.
• Blaziken jumped over Medicham’s Vacuum Waves and charged a Blaze Kick with Flame Charge and Quick Attack still powering his attack.

Blaziken and Medicham clashed with Fire-type combination attacks while Espeon and Krookodile exchanged attacks across the field. Espeon then combined Swift and Psychic into a golden tornado, and Blaziken answered with Flamethrower, leaving their energies colliding.

• Yano Keisuke ordered Espeon to use Reflect and Medicham to use Fire Mega Punch against Blaziken’s Blaze Kick.
• Blaziken shattered Reflect and clashed with Medicham’s Fire Mega Punch, sending both Pokémon reeling.
• Espeon’s Psychic Field missed Blaziken, while Krookodile struck Espeon with Dark Pulse and scorched its right side.
• Medicham fired Vacuum Waves at Blaziken and Krookodile, and they blocked the attacks with their arms and Dragon Claw.
• Espeon combined Swift and Psychic into a golden tornado and launched it at Blaziken.
• Xinhai ordered Blaziken to use Flamethrower, and its fire collided with Espeon’s Swift tornado.

Yano Keisuke’s Medicham and Espeon faced Blaziken and Krookodile as the battle intensified. Krookodile shattered Medicham’s Protect with Dragon Rush, forcing Yano to withdraw it and send out Solrock, which protected Espeon from Blaziken’s next strike.

• Blaziken and Krookodile attacked Medicham and Espeon with Vacuum Waves, falling rocks, and Dragon Rush.
• Medicham and Espeon dodged or countered the attacks, but Krookodile charged at Medicham with Dragon Rush.
• Yano Keisuke ordered Medicham to use Protect, but Krookodile’s Dragon Rush shattered the barrier and sent Medicham crashing into the arena wall.
• Yano Keisuke recalled the injured Medicham and sent out Solrock in its place.
• Solrock raised a Psychic barrier to shield Espeon and blocked Blaziken’s Rock Smash Kick.

Espeon and Solrock amplified Espeon’s Psychic through Psychic Resonance, forcing Blaziken into an even clash. Xinhai ordered Krookodile to spread Dark Pulse’s malice across the field, disrupting their resonance and allowing Blaziken to push its Flamethrower toward them.

• Espeon struck Blaziken with Psychic, while Krookodile’s Dark Pulse hit Solrock’s Protect barrier.
• Espeon and Solrock synchronized their psychic energy, greatly amplifying Espeon’s Psychic against Blaziken’s Flamethrower.
• Xinhai recognized the resonance’s advantage and ordered Krookodile to cover the arena with malice.
• Krookodile’s Dark-type energy disrupted Espeon and Solrock’s Psychic Resonance, weakening Espeon’s attack.
• Blaziken seized the opening and strengthened its Flamethrower, pushing back toward Espeon and Solrock.

Xinhai’s Blaziken and Krookodile pressed their attack against Espeon and Solrock, but Solrock used Miracle Eye to overcome Dark-type resistance. The chapter ended as Blaziken and Krookodile launched a coordinated counterattack against Solrock.

• Solrock shielded Espeon from Blaziken’s flames while Espeon supported its Barrier.
• Xinhai ordered Blaziken to use Mirror Move and join Krookodile in firing Dark Pulse at Solrock and Espeon.
• Espeon layered Light Screen and Protect to withstand both Dark Pulses.
• Solrock used Miracle Eye on Blaziken and Krookodile, allowing Psychic-type moves to hit Dark types and negating evasion boosts.
• Blaziken and Krookodile attacked Solrock with Force Palm-enhanced Vacuum Waves and a Dark Pulse.

Wu Shan used Lunatone and Solrock to rapidly reinforce the three defensive lines near Pewter City as Mt. Moon shook. With the defenses ready, Officer Jenny organized the officers and Trainers for the coming rush of wild Pokémon, while the mountain’s secondary peak continued to tremble.

• Wu Shan learned that the Rock Walls would take another hour to finish and asked Lunatone to help.
• Wu Shan sent out Solrock, and the two Pokémon used Confusion to complete and strengthen all three defensive lines within minutes.
• Officer Jenny and the Trainers were shocked by the Pokémon’s power, and Wu Shan warned that wild Pokémon would soon charge and that they would need to defend the line themselves.
• Officer Jenny returned to the command center and assigned officers and Trainers to their positions across the three defensive lines.
• The defensive line prepared for battle as Wu Shan watched the Mt. Moon Range, where the secondary peak shook more violently.

Xinhai’s Pokémon attacked Yano Keisuke’s Espeon and Solrock, whose defenses held long enough for Solrock to complete Miracle Eye. The chapter ended with Blaziken combining Brave Bird and Blaze Kick to smash into the pair’s Psychic Barrier.

• Espeon raised a psychic Barrier to shield Solrock from Blaziken’s Vacuum Waves and Krookodile’s Dark Pulse.
• Xinhai ordered Krookodile to launch Blaziken, and Dark Pulse eroded Espeon’s Barrier while Solrock completed Miracle Eye.
• Solrock summoned a massive stone bulwark that absorbed Dark Pulse and filled the battlefield with smoke.
• Yano Keisuke warned Espeon and Solrock of Blaziken’s incoming attack, and the two Pokémon formed a Psychic Barrier overhead.
• Blaziken enveloped its right leg in a fusion of Brave Bird and Blaze Kick, then struck the Psychic Barrier with a fiery dive.

Blaziken shattered Espeon and Solrock’s Barrier and badly injured Solrock, but Espeon counterattacked and wounded Blaziken. As Krookodile covered Espeon’s escape with boulders, Espeon used Psych Up on Solrock to copy the effect of Miracle Eye.

• Blaziken broke through the Psychic Barrier and slammed Solrock into the ground with a powerful kick.
• Espeon struck the injured Blaziken with a torrent of Swift empowered by Psychic, knocking it backward and wounding it.
• Krookodile hurled boulders to keep Espeon from pursuing Blaziken, forcing Espeon to dodge and retreat.
• Espeon used Confusion to lift Solrock from its crater, then used Psych Up to copy its Miracle Eye effect.
• Xinhai realized Espeon had copied Miracle Eye so its Psychic-type moves could affect Dark-type Pokémon.

Xinhai recalled Blaziken and sent out Gardevoir, whose overwhelming Psychic attack broke Espeon and Solrock’s Barrier and badly injured both Pokémon. Yano Keisuke recalled Solrock and sent out Alakazam, whose clash of Psychic power with Gardevoir left Xinhai facing a fresh, formidable opponent while Espeon was badly weakened.

• Xinhai recalled Blaziken and sent out Gardevoir to attack Espeon and Solrock.
• Gardevoir shattered their combined Psychic Barrier and struck both Pokémon, leaving Espeon injured and Solrock barely able to stay afloat.
• Yano Keisuke recalled Solrock and sent out Alakazam, which protected itself and Espeon from Krookodile’s Dark Pulse.
• Alakazam and Gardevoir locked their Psychic Fields in a stalemate as Xinhai judged Alakazam to be a powerful opponent and noted Espeon’s depleted condition.

Xinhai and Gardevoir pressured Alakazam and Espeon with a Psychic spear clash and a coordinated defense while Krookodile moved to flank Espeon. The chapter ended with Espeon narrowly dodging Krookodile’s Dark Pulse.

• Xinhai decided to focus pressure on one opponent while attacking any reinforcements, and Gardevoir launched a condensed Psychic spear at Alakazam.
• Alakazam matched Gardevoir’s spear, but its weapon initially took more damage before both Pokémon poured in power and shattered the spears.
• Alakazam and Espeon attacked Krookodile with Tri Attack and Psychic, but Gardevoir blocked both moves with a Psychic Barrier.
• Krookodile circled toward Espeon’s rear flank and fired Dark Pulse as Gardevoir defended against the attacks.
• Yano Keisuke warned Espeon, which used Quick Attack to evade Krookodile’s Dark Pulse by a narrow margin.

Gardevoir defended against coordinated attacks from Espeon and Alakazam with precise psychic control, while Krookodile pressured Espeon with Rock Slide and Dark Pulse. Espeon evaded the missed attack through the dust and fixed its sights on Gardevoir.

• Espeon and Alakazam attacked Gardevoir from opposite sides with Swift and Shadow Ball.
• Gardevoir used Swift to intercept Alakazam's five Shadow Balls and a Psychic Barrier to block Espeon's star-filled torrent.
• The Gym trainees marveled at Gardevoir's ability to control multiple techniques at once, while Xinhai noted that Krookodile's Dark Pulse Aura interfered with Teleport.
• Krookodile launched a Rock Slide at Espeon, which used Psychic and Swift to shred the rocks into powder.
• Krookodile fired Dark Pulse through the dust, but it missed Espeon, which moved through the smokescreen and locked onto Gardevoir.

Gardevoir countered the opposing Pokémon’s pincer attack with unexpected Quick Attack and Jump Kick, then escaped Alakazam’s follow-up strike with a backflip. The chapter left Gardevoir holding off Alakazam’s Cross Psychic Blade with a Psychic barrier.

• Espeon moved into position as Krookodile’s Dark Pulse aura disrupted Teleport and Xinhai realized the opponents were trying to pincer Gardevoir.
• Gardevoir slowed Espeon with Psychic and charged Alakazam, which fired five Shadow Balls while using Psychic Field to block its escape routes.
• Gardevoir used Quick Attack to rush past the Shadow Balls, then attacked Alakazam with Psychic and Jump Kick.
• Gardevoir used the force of Alakazam’s Psychic barrier to backflip over it and land behind it.
• Alakazam fired Cross Psychic Blade, and Gardevoir raised a Psychic barrier to withstand the attack.

Espeon dodged Krookodile’s attacks and rushed toward Gardevoir to disrupt its Inner Focus, while Krookodile used the pursuit as a feint to attack Alakazam. Alakazam blocked Krookodile’s Dark Pulse with Protect and began a counterattack with Swift.

• Espeon dodged Krookodile’s thrown rocks and sliced them apart with Psycho Cut.
• Espeon evaded Krookodile’s Dragon Rush, took a glancing hit, and continued toward Alakazam and Gardevoir.
• Gardevoir threw a Shadow Ball at Espeon, which Espeon countered with Psycho Cut before using Psychic to disrupt Gardevoir’s Inner Focus.
• Yano Keisuke warned Alakazam that Krookodile was approaching its rear flank, exposing Krookodile’s feint.
• Krookodile fired Dark Pulse at Alakazam, who blocked it with Protect and prepared Swift.

Gardevoir, Espeon, and Krookodile coordinated attacks against Alakazam, breaking through its defenses and driving it into the field’s barrier. Alakazam was left badly wounded as the chapter ended with it trapped inside a shattered psychic shield at the arena’s edge.

• Alakazam and Espeon attacked Gardevoir with Swift and Psycho Cut, but Gardevoir blocked both with a psychic barrier.
• Gardevoir countered with Dark Pulse, corroding Alakazam’s psychic barrier and striking it in the chest.
• Espeon hit Gardevoir with a full-force Psychic, interrupting Dark Pulse and wounding Gardevoir.
• Yano Keisuke warned Alakazam to defend itself as Krookodile fired Dragon Pulse from behind.
• Krookodile’s Dragon Pulse shattered Alakazam’s psychic shield and sent it crashing into the field’s energy barrier.

Espeon struggled against Gardevoir and Krookodile’s coordinated attacks, while Alakazam, badly injured from Dragon Pulse, continued fighting. The chapter left Espeon battered beneath a cloud of dust and Alakazam firing an Aura Sphere at Krookodile.

• Gardevoir and Krookodile cornered the exhausted Espeon with coordinated attacks.
• Yano Keisuke ordered Espeon to use A-shaped Defense against Gardevoir’s Inner Focus spears and Krookodile’s barrage of rocks.
• The attacks shattered Espeon’s barrier, and the remaining rocks struck it as Yano Keisuke watched in alarm.
• Alakazam, wounded and kneeling at the edge of the field, fired an Aura Sphere at Krookodile’s back.

Alakazam attacked Krookodile with Aura Sphere, but Krookodile blocked it with Protect. Gardevoir’s Spiral Shadow Ball struck Alakazam through its own Protect, leaving Alakazam barely standing and Espeon unable to battle.

• Alakazam launched Aura Sphere at Krookodile, and Xinhai ordered Krookodile to use Protect.
• Krookodile converted its gathered energy and blocked Aura Sphere with a Protect Barrier.
• Gardevoir formed a Spiral Shadow Ball and fired it at Alakazam.
• Yano Keisuke ordered Alakazam to use Protect, and Alakazam abandoned Recover to defend itself.
• Gardevoir’s Spiral Shadow Ball blasted a crater into the field, leaving Alakazam badly injured and barely standing.
• The smoke cleared to reveal Espeon lying unconscious and unable to battle.

Xinhai Bai Mu defeated Yano Keisuke at Mossdeep Gym and earned the Mind Badge, bringing him to seven of Hoenn’s eight badges. After having his Pokémon treated at the Pokémon Center, he reviewed his battle notes and continued his journey with only one badge left to collect.

• The referee declared Xinhai Bai Mu the winner after Espeon and Alakazam were unable to battle, leaving all four of Yano Keisuke’s Pokémon defeated.
• Xinhai and Yano recalled their Pokémon, and Yano congratulated Xinhai and awarded him the Mind Badge.
• Xinhai thanked Yano, then left Mossdeep Gym and headed to the Pokémon Center.
• Xinhai gave Blaziken, Gardevoir, Krookodile, and Eevee to Nurse Joy for restorative treatment and reflected on having seven of Hoenn’s eight badges.
• While waiting, Xinhai reviewed his Trainer Notes and materials from Yamamoto Xianren.
• Nurse Joy returned Xinhai’s restored Pokémon and congratulated him on earning the Mind Badge.

After earning the Mind Badge, Xinhai celebrated with his Pokémon and reviewed his battle before planning improvements to the Super Beast Force animation. The next morning, he woke up in the Pokémon Center with his eighth Gym challenge still ahead.

• Xinhai showed his Pokémon the Mind Badge, bringing his collection to seven, and said they still needed to earn the eighth badge from Wallace of Sootopolis Gym.
• Xinhai took Gardevoir and Eevee to buy ingredients, then cooked a lavish celebratory lunch for his Pokémon.
• After lunch, Xinhai's Pokémon rested or meditated while he reviewed the Gym battle and recorded ideas for improving the Super Beast Force animation.
• Xinhai worked on the animation settings through the day and woke the next morning at 7:15, prompting a sleepy Eevee to peek out from beside his pillow.

After winning the Mind Badge, Xinhai took Milotic to the beach so it could swim freely and reflected on how little time it spent outside its Poké Ball. He was left feeling guilty about Milotic’s confinement and worried that Alolan Golem also had to stay hidden.

• Xinhai finished his morning training and breakfast, then told Ryosuke Onodera that he had won the Gym battle and earned the Mind Badge.
• Ryosuke Onodera said that he, Yuma, and Rika were training for their next Pokémon Contest after failing their previous attempt.
• Xinhai decided to take his partners to the beach and released Milotic into the sea to swim.
• Xinhai watched Milotic enjoy the ocean and remembered how its size and need for water kept it inside its Poké Ball most of the time.
• Xinhai considered how Alolan Golem also had to remain hidden because of the danger of attracting the attention of evil organizations.